The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-12-08
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
Is There a Native TrufFle2


So many of the native trees, fruits
and vegetables of the other side of the
Atlantic have something near their
equals or parallels on this side that it
is no more than logical to think that
we may have a native truflie, and not
at all unreasonable or Improbable
that endeavcrs should be made to find
it. To be sure we hear that native
but inferior black truffie has been
found in Western and Southwestern
Louisiana in the vicinity of Opelousas,
in the Attackapas country. and on the
Red river. in the neighborhood of
Natchitoches. That this should be the
chosen habitat of the native trufh, in
preference 10 regions farther east and
north is natural. because the truffle is
q production of warm. if not hot,
climates, and is rarely if ever found in
regions where there is any thing like
killing and continued frosts. And, be-
sides, though the mystery that shrouds
the reproduction of the truffie has
been mystery for thousand years,
it is worth while to consider whether
the French emigrant Catholic fathers
of that region might not have brought.
unknown to them, Of course, the
mycelium of the truffle to the New
World. That it should have changed
in its character and, perhaps, lost
some of the excellence of the parent is
not surprising after two or three GEN.
turtles of fighting for life in the New
World; nor is itsingular that it should
have flourished in the region of the
Red river for hundred years without
being heard from. But if there is
really a native truffie it will probably.
if anywhere. be found in that wonder
fully richly endowed State. North
Carolina, the native trees and vege-
table productions of which are equal
to any other half dozen States of the
Union.
In Perigord France), L. Querey
and Angoumais. where the production
of truflles is of much Importance, the
general belief is that there is an init
mate connection between it and the
pubescent OF hairy oak. In the de-
partments of Vaucluse and the Lower
Alps the same intimate relation be-
tween the two is recognized. but at the
same time the evergreen oak enjoys
q like distinction. In the latter de-
partment the pubescent is called the
white oak, and there is considerable
close resemblance between our white
oak for the one and our live oak
for the other. If it be established that
two species of oak favor the develop
ment of The truffie, and that in their
neighborhood and under their shelter
the most productive beds are found,
they are far from being the only trees
that can claim that high reputation.
Forty other species of trees are believed
10 have direct influence on the pro-
duction, chief among which are the
elm, filbert. three unnamed species of
oak, the ash, linn. birch and the three
common pines. In presence of these
facts it is probably true that the
variety of tree has little to do with the
propagation and production of the
tuber beyond preparing the ground
for it.
After trees, and there are no beds
of truffles without trees. the pre-
dominant influence on truf1ie produc-
ton Is limestone or calcareous soil.
Thus the truffle beds of Perigord, LIE
Querey, etc., are on calcareous land of
jurassic formation, and the best beds
of the Southeast arc situated on similar
lands. 1t is also worthy of remark
that the soil of the most renowned
beds contains carbonate of lime, sand,
clay. oxide of iron, the phosphates and
certain alkalies. with trifle of Or
ganic matter The presence of lime
stone does not seem to have sensible
influence on the quality of the truffic.
But the oxides of iron play an i'm
portant part and their presence is in
dispensable TO its production and high
quality. 1t is certain that the best
truffies are gathered from soils colored
by sesquioxide or peroxide of iron.
Truffies are never found where
there is an impermeable soil or sub
soil. 1t is also observed that forests
where truffies are found have warm
southern exposure. The truffie is
never found in cool CT cold climates,
nor in very hot ones. The truffie beds
are nearly always found on the clear
ings on hillsides and on elevated level
land; they are almost unknown fin
valleys Bit this is fact character
istic of truffis beds: THE disappear
ance of all species of vegetation on the
surface of the ground where the
truffies are in the course of develop
ment; their absence during the time
the truffles occupy the land and the re-
appearance of vegetation Just as soon
as the truffies have given out" These
indications render it easy to recognize
where the truffle is to be found in
Continental Europe. and will probably
be safe guide to follow in hunting
for it in clearings of the forest and on
the banks of the Red river i'm Louis
II, tho al !